Te Anau and the Milford Sound

The Magic Bus driver pulled up to the shelter at the Divide, opened his luggage bin and yes! there was our duffle!  We were vastly relieved!  The ride from the Divide back to Te Anau is truely stunning as the bus winds its way from the mountains back to the picturesque little town along the beautiful Lake Te Anau.  We were dropped off at the "Pop In Cafe" where we gave Rosie from Rosie's Homestay a call, ordered a hot dinner, and ate while we waited for our pick up.  Those fish and chips and the cold beer tasted GREAT! 

     Rosie is as warm and welcoming as she sounded on the phone!  Both she and her husband have worked as hut wardens and for the Dept. of Conservation in other ways too.  They really know tramping well.  Their daughter, Tarah, will be the hut warden at our third hut on the Kepler later this week.  The house is spacious and comfortable.  We took a shower and passed out!

     Monday morning the Kiwi Discovery bus picked me up for a trip to the Milford Sound.  Denny took a day off for R&R.  He explored the town and went grocery shopping.  I headed back up the winding route toward the mountains, Fiordland National Park, and the Milford Sound.  The Milford Track is the most well known and popular track in New Zealand.  It has much the same scenery and vistas that the Routeburn has but is ages old -- the only way to the sea in the ancient times and a path made by the Maoris.  We wish we could have gotten on it but they say that it books up (only 40 independent trampers per day) within a month to six weeks of opening each July 1.  I looked several times a day since Oct. when we planned this trip -- no openings for two came up.  We could have gone on a guided trip in the luxury lodges with food provided and only having to carry a day pack for $2200/person...???    Denny hates to be guided though.  lololol

     So I got on that bus to find Dorothy from Switzerland in the front seat needing a partner -- got the perfect views all the way there and back with her and we had nice chats comparing our lives in the US and Switzerland (she is the one married to the non-traveler who lets her go where she wants while he stays home and golfs).  She has a son and two daughters.  We had a fine day!  Today there is a mile long tunnel, the Homer Tunnel, that was blasted through the mountains to let people get to the sea quicker than the Milford Track.  What a feat!  The valley hosting the road is only a mile wide with mountains straight up on either side.  Buses are not allowed to stop in the winter for fear of avalanches!  BEAUTIFUL!    We passed by lake after lake, waterfall after waterfall, and came to Milford, a very small town along the Milford Sound.

     From here we boarded the Friendship, a sightseeing boat that holds maybe 40 people with bow, top, and covered lower seating.  We cruised the sound for two and a half hours.   Luckily it was one of those picture perfect days with calm seas even.  We saw several large groups of fur seals luxurating in the sun on the rocks, but no penguins or dolphins graced us this day.  The captain took us right up to the waterfalls so we had the mists in our faces and could feel their power.  We went out a short ways into the Tasman Sea.  Everyone tells us that Denny and I would love Tasmania -- next time!

     After a peaceful ride back down through the mountains, I arrived back at Te Anau to find Denny waiting for me at my drop off spot.  We strolled along the lake for a bit looking through the Information Center and then through the town looking for a place to eat.  Choosing one we were delighted to enter and find a young couple from San Francisco there that we had met coming off the Routeburn the day before.  We enjoyed a meal together discussing the tramp.  There's nothing like sharing war stories! 

     Tuesday we had planned to take a day hike on the Milford but having heard that it is so much like the Routeburn, we decided to instead stay in the RnR/tourist mode with Denny further exploring the town and reading while I worked on my class.  A neat new couple came into Rosie's from the UK, Brian and Sue, so we planned to cook together Weds. night.  We went back to the Olive Cafe for a second meal, our Valentine's Day celebration and walked home enjoying  a beautiful sunset. 

     Today, Weds., I am at the Internet site again finishing up this journal, checking email, and working on my class.  Denny will meet me soon and we will pick up our Kepler Track passes (hut tickets), shop for food and go back to pack our backpacks and the duffle (which Rosie will keep safe this time) in preparation for leaving for the four days of tramping beginning Thursday.  We'll enjoy a fun evening with Sue and Brian and hear all about fun places to go in the UK, we hope. 

     My arm is turning all those bright colors as it heals.  I can make a fist again and hold light things.  Denny may have to tie my shoes.  It is a good thing we are in huts as I should be able to handle most things (as long as we are not in the top flight of bunks).  I am prepared with my sleeping pills and ear plugs!  More on all that upon our return on the 19th!  Love to all!